Cable-making machine



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E. CONNER CABLE MAKING MACHINE Filed Oct, 27, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I avweutoz Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. CONN EB, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO AMERICAN CHAIN COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. 4

CABLE-MAKING MACHINE.

Application filed 0mm 27, 1922. Serial No. 597,211.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. CoNNEn, a citizen of the United States, residin at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield, tate of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cable-Making Machines, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

is a specification.

In my copending application for cablemaking machines filed in the United States Patent Otfice July 10, 1922, Serial Number 57 4,103, I describe a process of making cable, or strands for cable, characterized by the fact that, prior to laying, the component wires or strands are formed into helices of suitable dimensions without angular distortion of the strands or wires on their axes. In other words, the process described in the application referred to comprises a substantially pure bending operation unaccompanied by axial twisting of the individual wires or strands.

By way of explanation of the foregoing statement, it is to be noted that, following the most common method of preparing strands for cable, as also of forming the strands into cable, each component wire or strand is carried about the core in such manner that it is not restricted to its natural tendency to merely bend about the core, but

.on the contrary, the forming operation is such that, in addition to bending about the core, the wire itself is twisted on its axis approximately one revolution to every convolution of the helix. There are, therefore, at least two sources from which permanent internal distortionsare created; namely, the bending of the wire about the core, and the twisting, of it on its own axis. To explain in another way, the strands or wires surrounding the core are bent upon a line which, previous to the bending, constituted a helix on the surface of the wire. To restore the wires to its original internal condition two operations, considering the matter analytically, would be necessary; one consisting of an unbending operation, and the other consisting of an untwisting operation. So far as the completed cable is concerned the bending operation is of course necessary in order to give it the desired form. On the other hand the twisting operation is necessary only for the purpose of giving the strands or wires 0. sufficient set to cause them to hug the core closely.

The process described in my copending application above mentioned eliminates the twisting operation by forming the strands into helices prior to laying them on the cable; and in carrying oilt the process the strands are bent to sha e upon a form which by merely bendin wil produce the neccssary set to cause t rein to hug the core closely. The specific means which I employ in carrying out the process of that application consists of a preforming nozzle, that is to say, a die which is provlded with a passage. in the form of a helix of suitable diameter and pitch to bringthe wires tothe proper set to closely hug the particular core which may be used and to lie closely thereon with respect to each other.

.The machine which I describe in the application above referred to for the purpose of carrying out this process is characterized among other things by the fact that it consists of a plurality of se arate units, each of which is adapted to pre orm and lay a single Wire or strand. The units are arranged in tandem formation, and each unit takes care of a single wire, the wires being laid on the cable in succession as the core is drawn through the several units. While this construction carries out the process effectively, it involves the use of a multiplicity of similar parts and is, under some conditions, particularly lack of suflicient floor space, somewhat inconvenient; and on account of its length cannot conveniently be operated in any other than a horizontal position.

The object of the present invention is a construction for a cable-making machine which involves in its operation the forming of the wires or strands into helices before laying them in position to constitute component parts of the cable, and which shall also at the same time eliminate the twisting above referred to and thus avoid the resulting objections described above.

Another object is to provide a machine which will perform the ultimate functions of the machine described in my application referred to and which shall at the same time make useof a sin le preforming head, and for the purpose o? laying a single envelope. of wires or strands make use of a single flyer only. This construction makes possible a in the foregoing paragraph in which provision is made for readily winding depleted spools and substituting such rewound spools for other depleted spools.

()ther objects of the invention will appear in the description of the machine of the present application and its functions and mode of operation.

I will describe my invention and its several embodiments by first considering the simpler form shown in Figure 1. For pur pose of description, the .machine of Figure 1 may be regarded as composed of two units designated respectively as A and B. The unit A is adapted to form a strand consisting of a core surrounded by six enveloping wires or strands, this particular number of wires or strands being selected merely because it conforms to conventional practice. It is to be understood, however, that the number of strands is by no means invariable, it being, of course, permissible to use any number of strands with or without a core wire which can be properly utilized. The strand formed by the unit A then serves as a core which is enveloped by the unit B with other wires or strands. As actually shown in the machine of Figure 1, and, in "fact, of all of the figures, the machine is adapted to'envelope the strand completed by unit A with 12 wires. Likewise as in the case of unit A any number of wires may be selected for unit B by properly modifying their cross-sectional dimensions. 7 It may further be pointed out that, even in the case. of unit B, strands as distinguished from solid wires may be used to envelope the core if desired.

Figure 1. is a view in side elevation of a complete machine composed of two units indicated respectively by the letters A and B. Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of one of the mountings of the spindle of the unitA.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the mountings of the spindle of unit B.

Figure 4 is a vertical side elevation of a modification of the machine inwhich is incorporated an arrangement for the ready interchange of wire supply. spools. This form of machine is also shown as embodying two units, indicated respectively by the letters A and B.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal symmetrical section of unit A of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view of unit A of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a view on the line 7-7 of Figure 5. 4

Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the details of the mounting of the flyer and spindle of the unit shown in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an end view of the spindle and flyer of Figure 5. V

Figure 10 is a view on the line 10-10 of Figure 4.

Figure 11 is a plan view of that portion of the unit B of Figure 4 which is encompassed by the flyer.

Figure 12 is a view on the line 1212 of Fi ure 4.

igure 13 is a vertical longitudinal symmetrical section of the flyer and spindle mounting of unit B shown in Figure 4.

Figure 14 is an end view of the flyer of the machine shown in unit B of Figure 4.

Figure 15 is a view on the line 15l5 of Figure 4.

Figure 16 is a view on the line 16-16 of Figure 4.

- Figure 17 is a view showing the means for engaging and disengaging the complementary parts of the wire supply spools.

Referring then to unit A, Figure 1, support for the operating parts may consist of standards 1 and 2 mounted on any suitable foundation. Power may be imparted to the machine in any suitable manner through the medium of the gear 3 carried by the lay shaft 4, the lay shaft 4 carrying the gear 5 and also the gear 6, the latter, namely, the gear 6, being used to communicate power to unit B, as will be hereinafter more particularly referred to. The gear 5 meshes with the gear 7 which is merely an idler and is used merely to transmit power to the gear 8 mounted on the spindle 9, which in turn is mounted in suitable bearings in the standards 1 and 2 and is provided with a hollow core. In order to permit sliding of the spindle through its bearing in the standards 1 and 2, for the purpose of removing depleted spools and replacing them with full spools, the gear 8 is made easily removable as shown in Figure 2, being splined on the spindle 9 and locked thereon by a small hand wheel 10 screwed on to the end of the shaft. The journal which turns in the bearing in standard 1 is of conventional form and requires no further description. The journal which turns in the bearing in standard 2, however, is of a type particularly adapted-for use in the machine, and for an understandin of it reference is made to Figures 8 and 9. Referring first to Figure 8, the spindle 9 is provided with an enlargement 11 which in turn is sleeved in a bushing 12 which, in combination with the part 11, constitutes the head of the flyer or rotor, which will be further described in detail. The part 11 is provided with six preforming dies 13 spaced at substantially equal angles ing dies 13 are provided with helical grooves through which the wires are drawn and consequently formed into helices before being wrapped about the core to constitute component parts of a completed strand. To prevent the head from sliding out of its bearing and also to make the part 11 non-rotatable but at the same time readily removable with respect to the bushing 12 a flange 12 is provided and the parts 11 and 12 are retained together by the screws 12. This construction together with the removable gear of Figure 2 makes it possible to'readily withdraw the spindle from its bearing in the standard 1 for the removal and replacement of spools.

The flye-r for the unit A consists of the two arms 14.- and 15 integrally or otherwise rigidly connected with the bushing 12 and extending substantially parallel with the spindle 9 and diametrically opposite to each other. Altho Figure 6 is intended primarily to illustrate the form of the machine in which is incorporated provision for winding reserve wire supply spools, nevertheless, it satisfactorily shows the construction of the arm 14 of Figure 1; and for an understanding of the construction o't these arms and the travel of wire from the spools through the dies, reference may be had to Figure 6 in connection with Figure 1. The arm 14 is provided with three swivcled pulleys 16, 17 and 18 located respectively in such positions that they will be respectively opposite alternate wire spools carried by the spindle 9. The arm 15 is likewise provided with three swivcled pulleys 19, 20 and 21, (see Fig. 1) these, however, being so located that they occupy positions opposite the remaining three spools respectively. The advantage of this arrangement lies in the factthat by means of it approximate uniform distribution of the points of application of the tension in the wires is secured as the wires are drawn from the spools, and even balance of theflyer is secured. The pulleys 16, 17 and 18 and also the pulleys 19, 20

I and 21 are swivcled in order that as the diameters of the coils of wire are reduced as the wire is drawn off, the planes of these pulleys will be approximately tangential to the coils of wire and the wire will run evenly over them. After the wires travel over the pulleys 16, 17 and 18 they next travel on spools are rotatably mounted on the spindle 9, some sort of means is desirable for damping their free motion thereon, and such means may consist of the brakes 32 carried by one of the arms, as, for instance, arm 15. These brakes bear on the flanges of the spools, each brake preferably operating on two spools. The core wire or strand 33 may be drawn from any suitable source, such as a spool or reel frictionally controlled to keep the core taut. In the case of the particular construction of Figure 1 which incorporates a twelve strand unit B, the power for drawing the core 33 through the spindle 9 is applied to the cable at a point beyond the unit B. This drawing mechanism is not illustrated, as any conventional type may be used, it being only necessary that its speed be coordinated with the speed of rotation of one of the flyers, the speeds of the fiyers, of course, being coordinated with one another.

It will therefore be obvious that, as power is supplied to the pulley 3 and the lay shaft is rotated, the spindle 9 and with it the flyer is rotated; and that as the cable is drawn, wire is drawn from the spools through the various pulleys and dies, and that as it emerges from the dies each wire is in the form a helix. Consequently, it is in a form ready to lay easily and without, resistance on the core 33. Merely for the purpose of steadying the arms 14 and 15, their free ends may be provided with rollers 34 which travel on the annular track 35, this arrangement being desirable merely to prevent them from flying out or otherwise running irregularly when the machine is operated at the high speeds for which it is intended.

When it is necessary to renew the supply of wire, the hand wheel 10 may be unscrewed, the gear 8 and the screws 12 removed. The shaft may then be partially withdrawn in the direction of the arrow C until it is suflieiently clear of the bearing in the standard 1 to permit the removal of the spools. The spools may then be removed and full ones substituted and the shaft restored to its original position for the resumption of the laying operation.

The construction of unit B, Figure 1, is similar to that of unit A exce t for such modifications as make it adaptaiile for operating on twelve wires or strands, and also except for the direction and relative speed of its rotation. Even these differences may be considered as immaterial to the essence of the invention, it being entirely permissible, as is more or less common practice,

'not only to vary the number of wires constituting the second envelope but also to wind the second envelope of wires in the same angular direction as the first, and it also being permissible, if desired, to wind them in helices of the same pitch. The respective pitches of the several convolutions are merely functions of the diameters of wires or strands and modifications of relative speeds of the flyers may be easily made accordingly.

As the wires emerging from the dies of unit A become formed into a strand such as indicated by the numeral 37, the strand thus formed becomes a core for unit B. Unit B is driven by the gear 38 which in turn is driven by thegear 39. Between the gear 39 and gear 6 on the lay shaft 4 is interposed the gear 40 which serves to rotate the flyer of unit B in an angular direction opposite to that of the flyer of unit A, thus winding the second envelope of wires or strands in a direction opposite to the first envelope.

Unit B may be best described by comparing it with unit A. Inorder to accommodate the considerably greater number of wires, the flyer is preferably provided with three arms 41, each of these arms taking care of four wires and, consequently, four spools. The head is provided with twelve dies 42 (see Figs. 12 and 14) and there are twelve swivel pulleys 43 and twelve pulleys 44 which guide the wires or strands into the dies or nozzles. The spindle 45 of the unit Bis hollow as in the case of unit A, so that the strand formed by unit A can pass through it and serve as a' core, as in the case of the wire or strand 33 in unit A. To properly balance the weight of the flyer, each arm may take care of every fourth spool. A substantially similar arrangement may be provided for removing the spools as shown in Figure 3. The gear 38 on the spindle 45 may be splined or otherwise carried by the spindle, and may be retained thereon by a nut 46 and washer 47. The head may be provided with the flange 47 and the screws 47'. When it is desired to remove thespools, the nut 46, the washer 47 and screws 47* gear 38 may be removed and the spindle partially withdrawn in the direction of the arrow D, whereupon the spools may be removed and replenished ones substituted for them.

It has been heretofore mentioned that it may be desirable to rotate unit B at a lesser speed than unit A. This, of course, may easily be done by properly proportioning the ratio of the train of gears between gear 6 and gear 38. As the fiyer of unit B would ordinarily be of considerably greater length than that of unit A, it is advisable to pro- .vide two annular tracks 48 and 49 instead of one within which it may be rotated.

The embodiment of the invention shown in side view in Fi ure 4 may, like that of Figure 1, be consi ered for purposes of description as being composed of two units designated respectively A and B, the unit A performing among others the functions of unit A of Figure 1, and unit B performin eac ing, among others, similar functions to those performed by unit B. In the construction of Figpre 4, however, there is incorporated unit provision for winding reserve wire supply spools at the same time that the wire spools are delivering wire to be laid in the cable in process of manufacture. In

addition to the last named function the con struction of Figure 4 is such that the empty spools may be readily removed from the shaft and the reserve s ools readily put in place of them. Like t e construction of Figure 1, the construction of Figure 4 in the specific embodiment shown is capable of winding a first envelope of six wires or strands, and either with or without a core, and then winding a second envelope of twelve strands about the six strands, the latter serving as a core for the twelve strands. As in the case of Figure 1, however, it is to be noted that the specific number of strands which each unit is capable of winding is merely a matter of selection governed by the requirements of the particular case, and that consequently the machine may be properly modified without departing from the spirit of my invention so that any desired number of wires or strands may be utilized.

Referring then to unit A whichv operates on six wires or strands, and more particularly referring to Figures 5 and 6 which are sectional and plan views respectively of this unit, suitable standards 50 and 51 are provided, these beingmounted on any suitable foundation; and in these standards is rotatably mounted the lay shaft 52 provided with the gear 53 and also the gear 54 whereby power may be imparted to the machine. In a bearing in the standard 50 is rotatably mounted the bushing 55 which serves as an axle for the gear 56 and which terminates in the outer clutch collar 57, the latter being faced with friction lining 58 in the usual manner. The bushing 55 serves as a bearing for the spindle 59 and the spindle 59 is provided with the gear 60 to which power is imparted by the gear 53 through the medium of the gear 61. The gear 61 is rigidly mounted with respect to the gear 62 so that the result is that as the gear 53 rotates both the spindle 59 and the clutch member 57 rotate, the latter, however, rotating at the lesser speed by reason of the difference in the ratios of the respective gears which drive them.

The spindle 59 instead of being of uniform diameter as in the case of the construction of 51 is enlarged from the point (33; that is to say, at such a point that the smaller portion is long enough to accommodate six spools of a, suitable size to be used with the machine. On the smaller portion of the spindle 59 is rotatably mounted a sleeve 64 provided with a spline 65 and having rigid connection with the inner clutch member 66. The spools 67, six in number, are in turn mounted upon the sleeve 64 and splined thereon by the spline 65, but not so tightly but that they can be readily caused to slide along the sleeve and thence on the larger portion of the s indle. It is to be noted that the sleeve 64 1s made of the same diameter as the larger portion of the spindle 59 so that as the spools 67 arecaused to slide along the sleeve they move unimpeded upon the larger portionof the spindle.

The opposite end of the spindle is mounted in the same manner as is the corresponding end of the spindle of Figure 1; that is to say (see Flg'SylQ, 13 and 14:), the spin-' tile 5!) is rigidly or otherwise fixedly mounted in the enlarged portion 68 in which are mounted twelve dies 42 arranged about the bore 70 ot' the spindle. The part 68 is in turn rigidly mounted in the bushing 71 of the flyer which is provided with the arms 72, 72. The arms 72 are similar to the arms 14 and 15 of Figure 1 and need no further description. As in the case of the construction of Figure 1 they are provided with rolls 73 traveling on the annular track 74 which prevents them from flying outwardly when the flyer is rotated to a dangerous or undesirable extent. Brake shoes 75 are provided as in the case of the construction of Figure 1.

To make full use of this particular type of machine it is desirable to make use of wire spools that can be readily engaged with and removed from the shaft. A suitable spool construction for this purpose has been described in detail in my now pending application Serial No. 574,103, filed July 10, 1922, hereinbefore referred to, and requires butbrief description. Referring to Figure 17 the spool may be composed of two con'iplementary parts 76 and 77, the plane of division preferably passing through the axis of the spool. One of these arts, for instance, the part 77, may be provided with lugs 78 which are forme to engage the lugs 7 9 in the part 76, and the two arts of the spool may, by interlocking the age 78 with the lugs 79, be firmly retained together on the spindle. In order to reduce friction, it is desirable to provide the spools with lateral bearing surfaces 80.

As hereinbefore stated, one of the s 001 parts is provided with a groove adapts to fit on thespline of the sleeve 64. The consequence is that while the spools are prevented from rotating on the sleeve 65 they may freely rotate on the larger portion of the spindle 59.

In utilizing this feature of my invention in connection with the machine now being described a proper method would be as follows: Six spools would be separated and then interlocked together over the sleeve 65.

The machine would then be set in motion and wire or strand wound on these spools from any convenient source. When sufiicient wire had been wound upon them they would then be forced along the sleeve 65, one by one, or all together, as desired, and thence on to the large portion of the spindle 59 in the position occupied by the spools 81. The replenished spools are then in proper position for the wire to be drawn off for the manufacture of a strand or cable. Then, or, at any time when the machine is at rest, a full complement of empty spools would be placed upon the sleeve 64 and filled with wire or strand in the manner above described. As fast as a complement of spools 0n the larger portion of the shaft 50 is depleted of wire, they can ,be removed by disengaging their connecting lugs. In order to prevent the spools from separating both on the sleeve 64 and on the larger portion of the spindle 69 it is desirable to rovide a removable collar 82 which may be c amped in any desired position by the set screw 83.

For convenience it is desirable to makeclutch when sufiicient wire has been wound upon the reserve spools. Any suitable method may be adopted, such as the bell crank lever 84 pivotally mounted to a fixed portion of the machine at 85 and carrying the roll 86. The arm 87 of this lever may have the usual yoke connection with the inner sliding member 66 of the clutch; and, consequently, when the diameter of the coil of wire on the spool with which it cooperates has attained certain predetermined dimensions, the clutch is thrown and the winding of wire on the reserve spools ceases.

he twelve strand unit 13 of the construction in Figure 4 corresponds to the twelve strand unit of the construction shown in 59, but in addition has the modification similar to those described with respect to the unit A of Figure 4; that is to say, it is made of suitable proportions to accommodate twelve spools instead of six, and the flyer is prefera ly provided with three arms insteadof two by reason of the greater number of wires which it accommodates, and two annular tracks are provided for greater security of operation. Similarly, as in case of the construction of Figure 1, the strand emer in from unit A is utilized as a core on w ie the outer envelope of twelve strands is wound by unit B. construction of Figure 1, the relative directions of rotations of the units A and B are not important except to fulfil special requirements. I have, however, shown the arrangement such that the twelve strand unit rotates in a direction op osite to that of the six strand unit; and t e mechanism for accomplishing this may be the same as in the case of the construction of Figure 1.

As in the ease of the Y Likewise," the power fbr drawing the cable through the machine is applied at. a point in the cable after it emerges from the twelve.

strand unit; and the-finished cable may be wound upon a reel,"drum or other suitable container.

- Claims:

, 1. In a cable-making machine, a flyer provided with a plurality of separate means forv forming into helices wires subjected to the action of said means prior to laying said wires on the cable.

' flyer is mounted, said flyer also being 1 2. In a .cablemaking machine, a flyer providedwith a plurality of separate preforming nozzles adapted to form into helices wires passing through said nozzles prior to laying said wires on the cable.

3. In a cable-making machine, a flyer provided with a plurality of preforming nozzles arranged on a circle concentric with the axis of rotation of said flyer, said preformadapted to form into.

in nozzles bein he ices wires passing therethrough.

4. In a cable-making machine, a flyer provided with a plurality of separate means for forming into helices wires subjected to the action .of said meansprior to laying said wires on the cable, a spindle on which said vided with arms extending substantially parallel with saidspindle, and plurality of sources of wire suppgy.

.5. In a cable-ma ing machine, a hollow spindle, a flyer mounted thereon, the head connected with said spindle and also with arms extending substantially. parallel with sand spindle, said arms being rovided with anti-friction means over whic wire can be 'drawn, a plurality of wire supply spools carried by said spindle and rotatably mounted thereon, and means for. damping the free rotation of said spools on said spindle.

7. In a cable-making-machine, a spindle,

a plurality ofwire supply spools mounted rotatably and independently ofeachother on said spindle, a flyer comprising ahead and arms connected thereto, the said head 7 being rigidly connected with said spindle and provided with preforming nozzles, and said arms being provided withanti-friction means over which wire can be drawn from said spools through said preforming nozzles.

8. In a cable-making machine, a rotatably mounted head, a spindle slidably mounted in said head, a flyer rigidly connected with said head, a plurality of preforming ILQZZles rawn therethrough into helices and mounted in said head, said spindle being adapted to car a plurality of spools rotatably mounted t ereon and means for dampilng the free rotation of said spools on said yer.

9. In. a cable-making machine, a plurality of strandin units each unit comprising a hollow spin le, a head serving as a journal for said s indle and provided with a plurality of helix-forming devices, a'flyer rigidly connectedwith said head and provided with a plurality of wire uiding arms extendin su stantially paralle with said spindle, an sources of dle.

- 10. In'a'cable-making machine, a stranding unit consisting of a hollow spindle, a sleeve on said spindle, said sleeve, being adaptedto carry a plurality of: reserve wire supply spools non-rotatably mounted there- 'on, and said spindle being also adapted to carry a plurality of wire supply spools rotatably mounted thereon.

' 11,. In a cable-making machine, a stranding unit consisting of a hollow spindle, a sleeve on said spindle, said sleeve being adapted to carry a plurality of reserve wire supply spools'non-rotatably mounted thereon, said spindle being also adapted tocarry .aplurality of wire supply spools rotatably mounted thereon, and means for rotating said sleeve and saidspindle independently of each other.

12. In a cable-making machine, a stranding unit consisting of a hollow spindle, a sleeve on said spindle, said sleeve being adapted to carry a plurality of wire supply spools non-rotatably mounted thereon, said spindle being also adapted to carry a plurality of wire supply spools rotatably mounted thereon, means for rotating said sleeve and said spindle, a rotatably mounted head serving as a journal for said spindle,

said head being provided with a plurality of helix-forming devices, and a flyer carried by said head.

13. In a cable-making machine, a stranding unit consisting of a hollow spindle, a sleeve on said spindle, said sleeve being adapted to carry a plurality of reserve wire supply spoolsnon-rotatably mounted thereon, said spindle being also adapted to carry a plurality of wire supply spools rotatably mounted thereon, means for rotating said sleeve and said spindle independently of each other, a rotatably mounted head servin as a journal for said spindle, said head being provided with a plurality of helixvforming devices, a flyer carried by said head,

said flyer comprising a pluralityof arms extending. substantially parallel with said spindle over which wire may be drawn, said arms serving as guides for directing said wire through said helix-forming devices.

14. In a machine for making stranded the emergent ends of which are disposed substantially in the same plane, sources of wire supply, means for forcing wire through said nozzles, and means for producing relative rotation as between said nozzles and the cable in process of fabrication, the speed of said rotation being coordinated with the speed with which said wire is forced through said nozzles.

16. In a machine for making stranded cable, 'a plurality of helix-forming nozzles the emergent ends of which are disposed substantially in the same plane, sources of wire supply, means for propelling wire through said nozzles, and means for producing relative rotation as between said nozzles andthe cable in process of fabrication, the axis of said rotation being in the said cable line. i

17. In a machine for making stranded cable, a plurality of helix-forming nozzles, the emergent ends of which are disposed in a plane substantially at right angles to the cable line of the machine, sources of wire supply, means for forcing wire throughsald nozzles, and means for producing relative rotation as between said nozzles and sources of wire supply on the one hand and the cable in process of fabrication on the other.

18. In a machine for making stranded cable, a plurality of helix-forming nozzles the emergent ends of which are disposed substantially in a plane normal to the cable line of the machine, sources of wire supply, means for forcing wire through said nozzles, means forprodu'cing relative rotation as between said nozzles and sources of wire sup ply on the one hand and the cable in process of fabrication on the other, the speed of said rotation being coordinated with the speed with which the wire is forced through the said nozzles to produce substantially one revolution of said receiving means toeach convolution of the helically-formed wire.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

EDWARD A. CQNNER. 

